Ch.111A Cozy Stranger’s Home – 6

Suddenly, an alarm sound rang out. Soohyun Kim reached out and picked up her phone.

And just as she was about to do her usual light stretching after turning off the alarm.

“…Ah.”

This wasn’t her room, nor was it the Kang family mansion.

The place where she had fallen asleep last night was none other than Rina Lee’s house.

And Seojin Baek was there with her too!

‘What should I do! I-I fell asleep?!’

The conversation with Rina had gone surprisingly well.

She also expressed that she didn’t want to tire out Seojin Baek.

It seems her tension eased after they dramatically reached an agreement.

It felt like she had just closed her eyes for a moment, but it was already morning.

Soohyun Kim hastily put on some clothes and rushed out of the room.

“Oh, what’s this? You’re up? Wow. Students really do wake up quickly, huh?”

Rina appeared right in front of her, scratching her stomach.

She was still in her underwear. And for some reason, she seemed to be in a good mood.

Sensing something ominous, Soohyun Kim hurriedly went to the living room.

“Arbiter!”

“Hmm? Oh, Soohyun. Did you sleep well? Let’s get ready. We’re not late yet, but it might be a bit tight.”

Seojin Baek was neatly folding the blanket Rina had provided, suggesting they prepare for school.

Soohyun Kim replied that she understood, while discreetly observing him.

‘You look a bit tired.’

He wouldn’t look like that if he had slept well. Perhaps he had trouble sleeping in someone else’s home?

If that were the case, it would be a relief. If he was tired for that reason, it would be fine.

The problem would be if it wasn’t. If Rina had deceived her…

“Just so you know, I didn’t do anything.”

As if she had somehow read her thoughts, Rina’s voice came from behind the bathroom door.

Soohyun Kim reflexively turned to look at Seojin Baek.

A gaze filled with both concern and expectation, wondering if those words were true.

“It’s true, Soohyun. Nothing really happened. In the end, that is.”

Perhaps sensing her gaze, Seojin Baek answered.

Nothing had happened. Thanks to that, Soohyun could finally feel relieved.

Though there was that strange addition of “in the end” at the end.

But if Seojin Baek said so, then it must be true!

‘Thank goodness. Thank goodness.’

She felt relief. At the same time, she also felt a sense of crisis.

Yesterday, Soohyun had seen what kind of woman her competitor was.

As a woman herself, she felt jealousy, envy, and a sense of defeat all at once.

Despite not being much older, how could she flaunt such maturity?

While Soohyun was just starting to show signs of womanhood, Rina had already surpassed that.

She was the type of woman men couldn’t help but be drawn to. As much as she hated to admit it, she had to.

‘And…’

Looking down at her own chest, Soohyun unconsciously bit her lip.

The size that she could barely achieve by bringing both arms together in the middle.

Rina could proudly display even while lying comfortably.

‘Just because someone has a big chest doesn’t mean it’s automatically better, right? Yeah, that’s…’

No matter how much she tried to think that way, she couldn’t help it.

Just as most women like men with broad shoulders.

Most men can’t help but like women with large breasts.

It had always been that way in movies and dramas!

‘This won’t do.’

Yes, this won’t do. If she stays dazed like this, she’ll really lose him.

Since Rina had made the first move, now it was her turn to step up.

‘I liked him first. And Arbiter noticed me first!’

She had a feeling. Last night, Rina must have tried to seduce Seojin Baek.

He barely overcame it, and that’s why he looked so tired.

That’s surely why he said nothing happened “in the end”!

Just being by his side wasn’t enough anymore, given how things had escalated.

Fortunately, Rina had given her a very good lesson this time.

If you want something, you have to fight for it, and there are various ways to fight!

Tap tap—

Soohyun immediately began sending a message somewhere.

[Did you sleep well, Grandfather? I’m going to school with the Arbiter. And I’m sorry, but could you look into letting me use one of the villas this weekend?]

Tap tap tap—!

[No. I’m not going alone like last time. I’m going with the Arbiter.]

*

I’m tired. Without exaggeration, I’m really exhausted.

I definitely slept, but my body feels like it didn’t rest at all.

The reason is simple. Damn it, Rina kept appearing in my dreams all night.

And in the same outfit she was wearing yesterday. Just in black underwear and panties.

Lying on the bed, embracing me and rolling around!

“Oppa. Do more. Hurry. Ah! Aah! It’s good. So good…”

Aaaaargh! Shit! Stop, stop! Stop it, you crazy woman!

Saying such nonsense! Anyone would think we filmed an adult scene yesterday!

Nothing happened between Rina and me last night.

I swear. I swear to heaven, truly. Nothing happened.

Even though Rina kept trying to seduce me, even encouraging me to just take her, I endured.

It’s absolutely not because I’m sexually dysfunctional or mentally impotent.

Honestly, I wanted to just say “Okay, let’s date” and do what a man should do.

I’m not some kid; I’m a grown man. What problem would there be in doing that?

‘Then. Despite all that, why did I push Rina away and return to the living room?’

Just in case. Really, just in case Soohyun found out, I was worried about what might happen.

I was concerned that The Crimson Witch, whom I had just turned into an ally, might revert back.

I know well that Soohyun currently holds something beyond mere affection for me.

Based on that, I’ve transformed Soohyun into someone more upright and stronger than before.

From what was originally supposed to be the worst villain of the future who would commit mass slaughter.

Now, conversely, into a superpowered individual who could prevent tragedy alongside Hyunwoo Lee.

It’s not simply for my sake, or for the sake of people in the future.

It’s because it’s good for Soohyun too. Because that suits Soohyun better.

And because it eliminates the suffering that those around her, like Minseong Kang and his family, would have experienced.

But Soohyun is still unstable. There are still many aspects that require caution.

Therefore, I want to block any variables that might cause instability.

And a sudden relationship with Rina had enough potential to become such a variable.

…Ah, I hope there are no such misunderstandings.

That ultimately, I’m holding back because of Soohyun.

The matter of Soohyun is just one of several reasons.

‘No, think about it. Honestly, with her parents right downstairs, how could I?’

No matter how soundproof the room might be. Even if we definitely wouldn’t get caught.

I wasn’t so aroused that I’d do the deed with her parents right downstairs.

Moreover, we’re not even married, nor are we dating.

Until just recently, we were complete strangers!

Soohyun in the next room. And Rina’s parents downstairs.

Thinking about it that way, my male instincts miraculously subsided.

It was fortunate. If even one of them hadn’t been there… hmm…

I might have pulled Rina close and done as she wanted.

“Aahn! It’s good. So gooood!”

No! Why is this happening again, damn it! Nothing happened!

Get out of my head, you crazy woman! And put some clothes on!

“Seojin oppa. Are you crazy? Why do you keep hitting my head? Stay still. Sitting next to me like that, I can’t concentrate on driving.”

Whose fault is that! This woman!

*

“You look a bit tired today, Arbiter.”

Knowing that, you still came to see me as soon as I arrived at work, Hyunwoo.

Really. I understand he’s the protagonist. Yes, I get it, but.

Don’t protagonists these days take it easy sometimes?

Isn’t it the trend to rely on talent rather than train like crazy?

I think it would be good to take it easy once in a while. Right?

“But since you came to work, you have to get through the day! I’m ready!”

“…”

Why are all the people around me crazy in various ways?

Starting with Soohyun, then Rina, Sujin Hyun, and now Hyunwoo Lee.

Is there perhaps a penalty with The Third Eye that says “Normal people cannot approach”?

I covered my face with my hands, but sadly, Hyunwoo was right.

I woke up early and came to work, so I have to work.

I need to spend another day as a Silver-grade Arbiter at the Academy.

“Student Hyunwoo Lee.”

“Yes! Arbiter.”

“Do you have any thoughts about advancing to Silver?”

A question born from 10 percent fatigue and 90 percent curiosity.

By now, Hyunwoo has tried almost everything he can.

They say the weakest and most useless are the jack-of-all-trades, but Hyunwoo has surpassed that level.

Starting with his pride, the sword, he’s already above average in various weapons.

His martial arts have also grown to the point where one should be cautious.

On top of that, he’s succeeded in learning how to counter magic-class abilities.

“Junior Hyunwoo, don’t you think you’re ready to advance to Silver?”

I remember Hana Kang subtly suggesting that once.

It seems this training maniac Hyunwoo had even requested sparring sessions with Hana Kang.

‘If even Hana Kang, who rarely says such things, said that… it’s more than enough.’

If Hyunwoo had shown interest, I would have let him advance.

Thanks to Hyunwoo’s obsession with evaluations, we’ve filled up a lot of the Bittersweet Triumph trait.

It’s been over two months since I became an Arbiter, so this should be sufficient.

But Hyunwoo was still holding back at the last moment.

While other students have me as their gatekeeper, Hyunwoo is acting as his own gatekeeper.

“I do plan to take a proper evaluation soon, Arbiter.”

“But not now, you mean.”

“Yes. Not yet, not yet because I haven’t reached the stage I want. Since I feel I’m still lacking, I want to stay here a bit longer.”

…I hope that doesn’t mean his final stage is to take evaluations even on weekends?

If that’s really what he’s thinking, protagonist or not, I’ll crack his skull first.